Teens 'threatened with dogs' in adult jail

Young offenders transferred to Victoria's maximum security adult prison following riots at a youth detention facility say they've been threatened with the use of dogs, restraints and gas.

Lawyer Ruth Barson, from the Human Rights Law Centre, visited the teenagers at Barwon Prison on Saturday and said "they're fearful and reported being threatened with the use of dogs, restraints and gas".

Ms Barson on Sunday said the teens - who were relocated to a secure unit within Barwon while repairs are carried out at the trashed Melbourne Youth Justice Centre in Parkville - reported being kept in solitary confinement and allowed out of their cells for just one hour a day.

Ms Barson said most of the teens moved to the adult prison were 16 years old or younger.

Many had a disability and had been exposed to family violence in the past, she said in a statement.

The HRLC is supporting a Supreme Court legal challenge against the transfer brought by the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.

Families and Children Minister Jenny Mikakos on Sunday said the case would be "vigorously" defended in court.